abrams



I April 1.4, 1.964 J. s. ABRAMs 3,128,942

MONEY SAVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l /A/ VEA/702 JOSEF A BRA/45 /rranA/EY April 14, 1964 J. s. ABRAMS 3,128,942

MONEY SAVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,YM it United States Patent O 3,128,942 MONEY SAVIN G DEVICE Josef S. Abrams, 3775 City Hall Ave., Montreal,

Quebec, Canada Filed Aug. 1.3, 1962, Ser. No. 216,595 2 Claims. (Cl. 232-5) The present invention relates to coin saving devices and more particularly to a coin saving device embodying means giving a Visual record of accumulated savings.

In accordance with the invention the device is designed so that its frontal appearance represents a tree with suitable openings being provided so that as coins are inserted they become visible as fruit on the branches of the tree. The overall structure of the device is such that the main coin receiving body is relatively thin and fiat with means being provided so that it can be supported in a somewhat inclined upright position in the manner of a picture frame or the like.

The main body of the device is made up of two main components, preferably of moulded plastic, which are shaped to provide two relatively large sections forming the front and back with the back section being internally recessed and grooved to provide an inner coin receiving recess with guiding channels to distribute the coins to locations corresponding to predetermined openings in the front position which in turn are located to simulate a natural grouping of fruit on a tree. Separate smaller components, also preferably made of moulded plastic material, are also provided which fit into certain of the recesses in the main body back portion to constitute means for the initial locking in and controlled release of the coins when the device is full so that it is particularly suited as a saving incentive device for children.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which;

FIGURE l is a view in front elevation of a money saving device in accordance with the invention as it would appear when provided with a front surface simulating a tree with suitable space on the base for advertising indicia.

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1 to illustrate the construction more clearly.

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of the construction shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 3 along the line 4-4.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional View of a portion of FIGURE 3 along the line 5 5.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view, partially in section, and in front elevation of the construction shown in FIGURE l with the ornamental configuration of a tree deleted to more clearly illustrate the construction.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View of FIGURE 1 along the line 7-7.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view of FIGURE 3 along the line 8 8.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view of FIGURE 11 along the line 9-9.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional View of FIGURE 6 along the line lil-10.

FIGURE l1 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of FIGURE 6 and partially in section to illustrate the use of the key to remove spring member.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 6 the money saving device of the invention is illustrated as having a general outer form and surface indicia simulating a fruit bearing tree with a plurality of openings dis- ICC posed in a regular pattern about the branches of the tree to simulate fruit.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 6 the money saving device of the invention is illustrated as including two main components, namely a front panel 10 and a back panel 12. The front panel 10 is shaped as shown to present the external configuration of a tree and the front surface 10a of the panel is suitably provided with the detailed outline of the tree, including foliage, branches, trunk and a base from which the tree is growing. The representation can be made in many ways, for example, it can be printed or embossed directly on the surface 10a or alternatively a separate printed or embossed sheet can be attached to the surface 10a to give the desired appearance. Further, as the front panel 10 is preferably made from plastic material, for example by moulding, the surface 10, can be contoured or textured to further simulate the desired tree outline.

The front panel 10 is also provided with a plurality of regularly spaced openings 14 which are located in a somewhat circular outline about the central portion of the tree outline in order to give the appearance of fruit growing on the tree. These openings are made as being somewhat smaller than the particular coins to be inserted, as will be described, and one of the objects in this is to provide means of adjusting a relatively thin coin when it possibly overlaps another coin by simply using a pencil point or a pin to move it. The fact that these openings are smaller than the coins to be deposited of course prevents their removal through the front panel 10.

The rear panel 12, which serves as the main coin retaining body of the device is shaped so as to have an internal recess 18 forming the main coin deposit chamber, with the upper walls of the recess 18 being shaped as indicated at 19 to constitute coin guiding walls which align the outer formation of coins deposited to match the openings 14 in the front panel 10.. As an entrance to the chamber 18 a coin entry slot 20 is provided and a plurality of outstanding coin guiding ribs 22 act to guide the inserted coins to their desired alignment. The portions of the back panel 12 between the outer peripheral margin and the coin chamber 18 are provided with in wardly extending arcuate recesses 26 and 28 which accommodate a narrow at circular outlined coin retainer 32 and an arcuately shaped flat tension spring member 34 respectively. A further recess 44 is provided in the back panel 12 adjacent the coin entry slot 20 to accommodate a pivotally mounted coin pusher 46. As shown, the coin engaging head of the coin pusher 46 can be made in the shape of a bird or the like which adds to the fanciful representations of the tree.

These basic components, namely the front panel 10, back panel 12, coin retainer 32, tension spring 34 are assembled in the following manner. The coin retainer 32 and tension spring 34 are inserted in their corresponding recesses 26, 28 and the front and back panels secured together in registered alignment. In order to facilitate this assembly the back panel 12 is provided with several locating holes 14a, four (4) in the construction illustrated which match with selecting ones 14b of the openings 14 in the front panel 10. The purpose of these openings is to provide a simple and accurate means of lining up the two main sections for attachment to each other, for example, by a simple assembly jig. Another object for these aligned openings 14a, 141; is to facilitate the easy and accurate mounting of a printed facing, if such is used, in the front panel 10. The actual securing together of the front panel 10 and back panel 12 can be accomplished by the use of any suitable adhesive as is well known or alternatively rivets or screws might be employed. When so assembled the partitioned coin chamber 18 has a height or thickness between the panels 1t), 12 only slightly greater than the particular coins to be inserted. Accordingly, such coins inserted in the coin entry slot 20 proceed atly into the chamber 18 arid are guided by the walls 19 and ribs 22 into the desired alignment corresponding to the openings 14 inthe front panel 10. The coin pusher 46 is inserted between the front panel 10 and rear panel 12 as shown and is pivotally mounted for movement towards and away from the recess 44 by a rivet or pin 45. In use, the coin is placed in the coin entry slot 20 and then pressed inwards by moving the pusher 46 downwards against the coin.

The lower section of the coin chamber 1S is closed oi by the coin retainer 32 which slidably ts within the recess 26 so that it can be moved from the closed position shown in FIGURE 6 to an open position releasing the coins. In order that the retainer 32 can be moved to the open position the upper end of the recess 26 gradually slopes up to terminate in an opening 26a on the rear face of the back panel 12, as shown in FIGURE 8. The outer lower surface of the retainer 32 is provided with an angular recessed mortise 32a which provides a means of moving it out and in with the aid of a flat key 35 as shown in FIGURE 6. This at key 35 is slipped between the front panel 10 and the inner surface of the back panel 12 until its end 35a engages the mortise 32a so that the retainer may be pulled around the recess 26 until the end emerges from the opening 26a where it can be grasped and pulled out further thus clearing the lower space 18a of the chamber 18 releasing the coins. The procedure is reversed to again prepare the device for further coin loading. As will be appreciated, it is necessary to control the entry of the coins through the coin slot 20 so that once in they cannot be taken out by merely turning the device upside down. Accordingly, the tension spring 34 has an end portion 34a which projects sufliciently in the coin slot 20 so as to bar entry of a coin until sufficient pressure is exerted on the coin, either by the lingers or the coin pusher 46, so as to flex the spring causing the end 34a to retract slightly and thus permitting passage of the coin. This exing action of the spring 34 is accomplished by having a further recess or concavity 28a in the spring accommodating recess 28 and making the spring 34 as having a section 34b of reduced thickness as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10. Accordingly pressure on the spring end 34a causes the reduced section 34b to flex sideways and downwards, as indicated in dotted lines, permitting passage of the coin. In the preferred construction, as shown, the spring 34 is also provided with an angular mortise 37 which can be engaged by the key 35 so that it can be removed for replacement if necessary as shown in FIGURE l1. Since the elements 32 and 34 are preferably made of relatively thin resilient plastic material their necessary deflection in the previously described operations does not present any dif- Iiculty.

In order to support the money saving device of the invention at a suitable angle for insertion of coins the construction illustrated utilizes a supporting easel 60 which is shaped, as shown in FIGURE 4 so as to have outstanding locking portions 62, 64 which fit into and interlock with corresponding stepped slots 66, 68 provided in the rear panel 12. In order to lock the easel portions 62, 64 in position the lower portion of the rear panel 12 includes a rectangular recess 66 on the front face and a thin iiexible locking plate 68 slidably fits within these recesses as shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. A tirst pin or stud 69 extends outwardly from the rear face of the front panel 10 so as to deect the leading end of the plate 68 beneath the surface of the recess 66 and thus preventing the withdrawal of the easel portions 62, 64. A further stud or pin 69a extends from the rear face of the front panel 10 to limit the outward travel of the plate 68 and a corresponding pin or stud 70 is provided on the rear face of the plate 68 to constitute a manipulating knob. It will be understood that other means of attaching the easel 60 to the device might be utilized for example a simple tongue and slot arrangement as is well known in articles of this type.

It will be also understood with reference to the preceding description and accompanying drawings that each construction of the device of the invention is intended to receive and retain similar coins of one value only. For example, the construction illustrated is intended for use with the American or Canadian dime or ten cent piece. However, if the device is to be used for coins of other denominations and consequently different sizes it is only necessary to vary the dimensions of the coin chamber 18 and locations and dimensions of the front panel openings 14. Otherwise the device requires no modification within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A coin saving device comprising a flat relatively thin body having an external configuration outlining a base portion, a relatively narrow intermediate portion and a main body portion of irregular circular outline, the whole simulating the external outline of a tree, the front surface of said main body portion containing a plurality of circular recesses arranged in spaced relationship about the center of said main body, said main body portion having an internal coin receiving chamber of substantially circular outline directly beneath said main body front surface recesses, a coin entry slot in alignment with and leading into said coin receiving chamber, said coin receiving chamber having a front-to-back depth sufficient only to accommodate the at passage of a single coin from said entry slot and being provided with a iirst coin receiving portion feeding a plurality of spaced coin guiding partitions extending lengthwise of said chamber and being adapted to guide coins fed thereto into aligned locations within said chamber in register with said circular recesses in said main body front surface, and means'located within the lower portion of said coin receiving chamber to retain and selectively release said coins from said coin receiving chamber.

2. A coin saving device as claimed in claim l, including an easel-like supporting member mounted on a rear surface of said body so as to extend transversely outwards therefrom.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,852 Kidder Sept. 17, 1901 1,627,822 Alexander May l0, 1927 1,653,021 Perkins Dec. 20, 1927 2,043,848 Binder .lune 9, 1936 2,390,057 Cooper Dec. 4, 1945 

1. A COIN SAVING DEVICE COMPRISING A FLAT RELATIVELY THIN BODY HAVING AN EXTERNAL CONFIGURATION OUTLINING A BASE PORTION, A RELATIVELY NARROW INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND A MAIN BODY PORTION OF IRREGULAR CIRCULAR OUTLINE, THE WHOLE SIMULATING THE EXTERNAL OUTLINE OF A TREE, THE FRONT SURFACE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF CIRCULAR RECESSES ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP ABOUT THE CENTER OF SAID MAIN BODY, SAID MAIN BODY PORTION HAVING AN INTERNAL COIN RECEIVING CHAMBER OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR OUTLINE DIRECTLY BENEATH SAID MAIN BODY FRONT SURFACE RECESSES, A COIN ENTRY SLOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND LEADING INTO SAID COIN RECEIVING CHAMBER, SAID COIN RECEIVING CHAMBER HAVING A FRONT-TO-BACK DEPTH SUFFICIENT ONLY TO ACCOMMODATE THE FLAT PASSAGE OF A SINGLE COIN FROM SAID ENTRY SLOT AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A FIRST COIN RECEIVING PORTION FEEDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED COIN GUIDING PARTITIONS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID CHAMBER AND BEING ADAPTED TO GUIDE COINS FED THERETO INTO ALIGNED LOCATIONS WITHIN SAID CHAMBER IN REGISTER WITH SAID CIRCULAR RECESSES IN SAID MAIN BODY FRONT SURFACE, AND MEANS LOCATED WITHIN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID COIN RECEIVING CHAMBER TO RETAIN AND SELECTIVELY RELEASE SAID COINS FROM SAID COIN RECEIVING CHAMBER. 